My Future Lightbox

Some posts ago I talked about a lightbox I was going to construct, as to make my productphotography more professional.

Ofcourse, I thought for a while about what I wanted, and made a list of requirements the light box needs to satisfy.

I haven't begun building the thing yet, but I can tell you this; it's going to be a hefty one!
I took 5 pieces of wood home today of about 60x60cm, all out of 18mm plywood. So, when the need arises, I'll be able to stand on it.

Also, I brought home the appropriate connection hardware, except for screws, because one of my requirements was that the light box needs to be dismantable. That way I can store it withouth loosing to much space.

I'll begin building it, take pictures along the way, and when I am finished, I'll post a short tutorial on how to build it yourself. I'll even provide some sample pictures.

Till then!

Coen

Horse Statue I

Horse Statue I
Originally uploaded by Praetorianator.

So, do we all like productphotography? Yes we do!

At least, when the photographs are executed right. There are alot of photographs in the productphotography group floating around not executed well. I've done it number of times too. Just take a look at the first few pages of my Flickr page, you'll see alot of bad macrophotography.

Many people doing macro and/or/thus productphotography do not consider the background and it's impact it has on the overall picture. For example, many of my first macro shots have horrible grey-ish backgrounds, while I really wanted to have a white background. Also the lighting of the subject is bad, and the focussing point is hardly ever spot-on. Usually the focus lies on something other than the main subject of the photograph, thus drawing the viewers attention away from your subject.

To produce white backgrounds, correct lighting and spot on focus points, one has to do one thing; take time. As with any form of photography, the only way to produce good to superb shots is to take your time. Check composition, lighting, focus, depth-of-field, angle. Then check it all again, and make adjustments as needed.

I think the picture I made above, named 'Equinity', is an example of good lighting, good background, good focus. Ofcourse the composition is debatable. Some people do not like the stretch of white in front of the horse, they would've cropped the picture tighter. I, on the other hand, like the bit of white on the right. It gives the horse room to go (as if it's going anywhere, but you catch my drift).

Anyway, I really like this picture alot, and I'm quite proud of it. I like it's simplicity and contrast. The border only adds to the picture.

What do you think?

Greetings,

from Coen.

PS. This picture is available for purchase at Oypo (Dutch) and Fonanza (Dutch)